Saturday 18 January 2014

Power tagging on Zazzle

If you're unsure about POWER tags, here's a refresher on how to add one. It's quite straightforward...
  1. You edit one of your products and click on the left on the "tags" link. You then see your tags inside buttons.
    NB If you have more than ten, the first ten buttons will be blue (POWER tags) and the rest white.
  2. If you add a tag when you already have at least ten tags, it'll go in a white button and you need to make it blue.
  3. If you add one a tag when you already have fewer than ten tags, it'll go in a blue button and so will be a POWER tag. Nothing more to do :)
  4. If it went in as a white button, you need to make it blue:
    1. Decide which is your least important existing power tag (i.e. one already in a blue button) and click that. It will go white - no longer a power tag.
    2. Now click the one you just added and it will turn blue, making it a power tag.
Done :)

comments, likes, +1s, tweets are always welcome! :)

Zaps new stairwalker algorithm in beta

I've changed the stairwalker algorithm to improve how it handles things when there aren't very many items returned by the Zazzle search.

The item that is to be emitted is given by the day it is in the month multiplied by 2 and then minus 1 if it is in the morning. This gives a range of 1 (morning of the 1st of the month) to 62 (the afternoon of the 31st on a 31 day month).

What if there aren't enough items to select from?

Well, if there aren't enough items available then we have to cycle through the ones that are, as the mornings and afternoons roll by.

To cycle through the available items, we need to start again at the beginning when we run out. Well, there's a calculator button for that on some calculators called MOD. What it does is gives you the remainder after dividing one number by another. The trouble is, it gives you answers that cycle like this: 1, 2, 3, 0, 1, 2, 3, 0, 1... (try it starting at 1 and going up to 9 when dividing by 4 and you'll see).
Let us call the answer to that original sum above, OriginalChoice and the number of items available we'll call Count. So our starting point is:
  • OriginalChoice MOD Count
Say Count is 4. Remember, on the first of the month in the morning, OriginalChoice will be 1 and in the afternoon it will be 2 and so on...
1 MOD 4 gives a remainder of 1
2 MOD 4 gives a remainder of 2
3 MOD 4 gives a reminder of 3
4 MOD 4 gives a reminder of 0
5 MOD 4 gives a remainder of 1
6 MOD 4 gives a reminder of 2
7 MOD 4 gives a reminder of 3
etc.

The trouble is we're cycling 1,2,3,0... and we actually want 1,2,3,4,1,2,3,4 etc

We can deal with that by subtracting 1 before doing the MOD and then adding it back after:
(1-1) MOD 4 gives a remainder of 0, add the 1 back again, giving 1
(2-1) MOD 4 gives a remainder of 1, add the 1 back again, giving 2
(3-1) MOD 4 gives a remainder of 2, add the 1 back again, giving 3
(4-1) MOD 4 gives a remainder of 3, add the 1 back again, giving 4
(5-1) MOD 4 gives a remainder of 0, add the 1 back again, giving 1
(6-1) MOD 4 gives a remainder of 1, add the 1 back again, giving 2
(7-1) MOD 4 gives a remainder of 2, add the 1 back again, giving 3
etc

So in summary,
  • ((OriginalChoice-1) MOD Count)+1
is the new stairwalker algorithm.

When there are more items available than needed we never cycle, we just step through them in sequence as the mornings and afternoons roll by.

Note that on the last day of a 31 day month we need 62 items to prevent cycling, if there were only 61 items then the algorithm would cycle round and pick the first.


comments, likes, +1s, tweets are always welcome! :)

Monogram Spiral Galaxy: Deep space astronomy image Hanging Pendant Lamp

A gorgeous outer space lamp design. Fill your room with these amazing colours! Click to fill in and see it with your monogram initials.


tagged with: star clusters, inspirational, star forming regions, spgxy1232, young blue stars, galactic arms, astromomy image, spiral galaxies, star galaxies, outer space images, european southern observatory, heavens, eso, vista

Galaxies, Stars and Nebulae series A fantastic image that reveals a little of the wonder that is our universe.
This spectacular image of the large spiral galaxy NGC 1232 was obtained on September 21, 1998, during a period of good observing conditions. It is based on three exposures in ultra-violet, blue and red light, respectively. The colours of the different regions are well visible : the central areas contain older stars of reddish colour, while the spiral arms are populated by young, blue stars and many star-forming regions. Note the distorted companion galaxy on the left side, shaped like the greek letter "theta".

NGC 1232 is located 20º south of the celestial equator, in the constellation Eridanus (The River). The distance is about 100 million light-years, but the excellent optical quality of the VLT and FORS allows us to see an incredible wealth of details. At the indicated distance, the edge of the field shown corresponds to about 200,000 light-years, or about twice the size of the Milky Way galaxy.
more items with this image
more items in the Galaxies, Stars and Nebulae series

image code: spgxy253

ESO/J. Emerson/VISTA www.eso.org
Reproduced under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license.

»visit the HightonRidley store for more designs and products like this
The Zazzle Promise: We promise 100% satisfaction. If you don't absolutely love it, we'll take it back!

Tigger 4 samsung galaxy s3 cover

Cute Alert!

How cute a Samsung phone case design is this? Maybe you'd like to see your name / initials / monogram on it? Click to personalize and see!

wow! This one caught my eye, I hope you like it. By disney,
another talented creative from the Zazzle community!


tagged with: tigger, winnie the pooh tigger, pooh tigger, tiger, cartoon tiger, kids, children, cartoon character, winnie the pooh, cute, disney, winnie the pooh friends, pooh, pooh and friends, friends, disney pooh

Winnie the Pooh: Tigger

»visit the disney store for more designs and products like this
The Zazzle Promise: We promise 100% satisfaction. If you don't absolutely love it, we'll take it back!

Galaxy Nebula Stars Pendant

A gorgeous design. What would it look like with your initials? Click to personalize it and customize it with the different available styles.


tagged with: galaxy, nebula, stars, glitter, space, starfield, astronomy, cosmology, universe, stellar

Galaxy Nebula Stars

»visit the GirlyTemplate store for more designs and products like this

Cats Paw Nebula - Good Luck with Your Operation Cards

A gorgeous best-selling design. Click to personalize. How would it look with your name or monogram?


tagged with: surgical procedures, hospital surgery, hospital stays, star forming regions, breathtaking astronomy images, gas clouds, scorpius constellation, inspirational, galaxies, hrbstslr ctspwneb, heavens, european southern observatory, eso, vista

Galaxies, Stars and Nebulae series A breathtaking greetings card showing an infrared view of the Cat’s Paw Nebula (NGC 6334) taken by VISTA. NGC 6334 is a vast region of star formation about 5500 light-years from Earth in the constellation of Scorpius.
The whole gas cloud is about 50 light-years across. NGC 6334 is one of the most active nurseries of young massive stars in our galaxy, some nearly ten times the mass of our Sun and most born in the last few million years.

The images were taken through Y, J and Ks filters (shown as blue, green and red respectively) and the exposure time was five minutes per filter. The field of view is about 0degrees, 43mins across.
more items with this image
more items in the Galaxies, Stars and Nebulae series

image code: ctspwneb

ESO/J. Emerson/VISTA www.eso.org
Reproduced under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license.

»visit the HightonRidley store for more designs and products like this

GemRings kaleidoscope iPhone 5 Cases

An amazing iPhone Case design featuring a beautiful fractal. Click to personalize / customize.


tagged with: abstract, kaleidoscope, mandala, kaleidoscopic, kaleido, kaleidoscope design, mystical, fractal, geometric, psychedelic

Beautiful kaleidoscope with purple and pink colors.

While a kaleidoscope is a continually changing pattern of shapes and colors, this is an digital still version of that. Intricate patterns that are repeated in a circular frame.

»visit the WavingFlames store for more designs and products like this

Modern Metallic Texture Print Business Card Templates

An impressive metallic-effect business card design. How will it look with your name and business details? Click to personalize and find out!


tagged with: professional, executive, elegant, stylish, plain, modern, metal, steel, ceo, cool, tasteful, exquisite, nice

Exquisite, stylish and elegant executive brushed aluminum texture print business cards

»visit the JerryLambert store for more designs and products like this

Dachsund Puppy postcard

Cute Alert!

How can you resist this cute puppy design? Maybe you'd like to see your name or initials on it? Click to customize and personalize...

so many products with fantastic designs on Zazzle... which to choose today? How about this one from Lawlzorz,
another talented creative from the Zazzle community!


tagged with: dachsund puppy postcard, golden dachsund postcards, dachsund card, weiner dog card, doxie card, yellow doxie, doxie puppies, cute puppy, weiner dog puppies, yellow puppy, sweet puppy

Dachsund Puppy postcard

»visit the Lawlzorz store for more designs and products like this
The Zazzle Promise: We promise 100% satisfaction. If you don't absolutely love it, we'll take it back!

Cute Puppy Dog 1st Birthday Invitation for Girls

Cute Alert!

How can you resist this cute puppy design? Maybe you'd like to see your name or initials on it? Click to customize and personalize...

so many products with fantastic designs on Zazzle... which to choose today? How about this one from TheCutieCollection,
another talented creative from the Zazzle community!


tagged with: invitations, birthday, party, girl, girls, 1st, first, puppy, dog, puppies, dogs, cute, custom, unique

This adorable Puppy Dog Birthday Party Invitation is perfect for a little girls.

This design was created using original graphics by Scrappin Doodles and Pixel Paper Prints at MyGrafico.

»visit the TheCutieCollection store for more designs and products like this
The Zazzle Promise: We promise 100% satisfaction. If you don't absolutely love it, we'll take it back!

Stand back, doing science necktie

A fantastic tie design. Maybe you'd like to see your initials / monogram on it? Click to personalize and see what it looks like.


tagged with: stand, back, science, tie, teacher, scientist, laugh, humor, funny, pro-science

This science tie will have all your students clamoring to be scientists. It's a must have for teachers and scientists alike.

»visit the Kris18 store for more designs and products like this

Monogram Spiral Galaxy: Deep space astronomy image Table Lamp

A gorgeous outer space lamp design. Fill your room with these amazing colours! Click to fill in and see it with your monogram initials.


tagged with: star clusters, inspirational, star forming regions, spgxy1232, young blue stars, galactic arms, astromomy image, spiral galaxies, star galaxies, outer space images, european southern observatory, heavens, eso, vista

Galaxies, Stars and Nebulae series A fantastic image that reveals a little of the wonder that is our universe.
This spectacular image of the large spiral galaxy NGC 1232 was obtained on September 21, 1998, during a period of good observing conditions. It is based on three exposures in ultra-violet, blue and red light, respectively. The colours of the different regions are well visible : the central areas contain older stars of reddish colour, while the spiral arms are populated by young, blue stars and many star-forming regions. Note the distorted companion galaxy on the left side, shaped like the greek letter "theta".

NGC 1232 is located 20º south of the celestial equator, in the constellation Eridanus (The River). The distance is about 100 million light-years, but the excellent optical quality of the VLT and FORS allows us to see an incredible wealth of details. At the indicated distance, the edge of the field shown corresponds to about 200,000 light-years, or about twice the size of the Milky Way galaxy.
more items with this image
more items in the Galaxies, Stars and Nebulae series

image code: spgxy253

ESO/J. Emerson/VISTA www.eso.org
Reproduced under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license.

»visit the HightonRidley store for more designs and products like this
The Zazzle Promise: We promise 100% satisfaction. If you don't absolutely love it, we'll take it back!

Pink Zombie Sugar Panda Samsung Galaxy SIII Covers

Cute Alert!

How cute a Samsung phone case design is this? Maybe you'd like to see your name / initials / monogram on it? Click to personalize and see!

look at this great design from JeffBartels,
another talented creative from the Zazzle community!


tagged with: panda, panda bear, sugar skull, day of the dead, cute panda, baby panda, zombie panda, cartoon panda, panda graphic, zombie, animal, graphic, cartoon, illustration, skull, unique, bear, paw, heart, star, swirls, decorated, panda paws, bear paws, love, bamboo, floral eyes, flower pedals, adorable, cute, stitched, stitched mouth, sugar panda, sugar skull panda, day of the dead panda, jeff bartels

This unique design features an adorable sitting baby panda bear decorated with pink swirls and drops. A large heart is in the middle of the bear's chest with a small five point star appearing at the top of the forehead. These simple patterns are inspired by the Day of the Dead sugar skulls as are the flower pedals surrounding each dark eye. The stitched mouth also gives the panda a cute zombie appearance. This cute symmetrical design is a unique representation of this beautiful creature.

»visit the JeffBartels store for more designs and products like this
The Zazzle Promise: We promise 100% satisfaction. If you don't absolutely love it, we'll take it back!

Truisms: Without art the Earth is just "Eh" Shirts

A gorgeous best-selling design. Click to personalize. How would it look with your name or monogram?


tagged with: wisdom, truisms, insights, astute sayings, wise sayings, support art, supporting the arts, hrbstslr, shrewd cliches, hrfptraz, axioms

A truism t-shirt... The words are:
"without art
the Earth is just
"Eh"

more items featuring truisms

»visit the HightonRidley store for more designs and products like this